Willy Russell is an English dramatist, lyricist, and composer. Two of his best known works are the musical Blood Brothers and the play and movie Educating Rita.

Born in Whiston, Lancashire (near Liverpool), Russell became a hairdresser upon leaving school at 15. At the age of 21 he decided to go back to college where he qualified as a teacher. During this time he also wrote and performed folk music. He also began writing drama and in 1972 he took a programme of three one-act plays to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. There, he caught the attention of writer John McGrath who recommended him to the Liverpool Everyman theatre.